The Light The Night Walk brings together families and communities to honor blood cancer survivors and loved ones lost to the disease. The event also shines a light on the importance of finding cures and providing access to treatments for blood cancer patients.

Participants who raise $100 or more to fund cancer research will become a Champion for Cures and receive a T-shirt, dinner and an illuminated balloon.

All cancer survivors in attendance are honored guests and will receive these items regardless of their fundraising level.

The Walnut Creek Action for Beauty Council recently held its annual Community Awards luncheon.

Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Silva shared that this organization, founded in 1966, encourages superior design and high-quality development in the community, including creative and innovative building architecture, landscape architecture, and public art to preserve and enhance the natural beauty and developed spaces of our community.

The Poppy Award is given to a project that contributes to the beautification and preservation of the natural environment.

Peg Kovar was among the group who led the effort to preserve open space in Walnut Creek, and was the first president of Save Mount Diablo.

She ran for City Council and used the poppy as a symbol and spread seeds along Ygnacio Valley Road near Marchbanks. Peg became mayor of Walnut Creek, was a great gal and is surely missed by all who knew her.

The seeds she sowed will continue to provide all of us with an appreciation for her legacy.

Sustainability awards

Help make Contra Costa a great place to live, work, and play for generations to come and support local businesses, government programs, community groups, nonprofits and individuals who implement sustainable practices, educate the public and inspire change.

Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia and Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla will present the Sustainability and Green Building Awards at the Contra Costa Leadership in Sustainability Awards Gala, at 6 p.m. Oct. 30, at the Concord Hilton, 1970 Diamond Blvd. in Concord.

Sustainable Contra Costa (SCOCO) is a nonprofit organization started in 2007 by Tina King Neuhausel, president, and co-founders Marsha Golangco and Robert Joe, committed to the vision that all people and organizations live and operate in a way that sustains the health and well being of our society, environment, and economy.

Soroptimist International of Diablo Vista will present Modern-Day Slavery, a panel discussion concerning sexually exploited youth, at 6 p.m. Oct. 30, at Queen of All Saints Church Hall, 2390 Grant St. in Concord.

Ann Notarangelo from KPIX 5 will emcee. Panelists include Contra Costa District Attorney Mark Peterson, Sister Caritas Foster, a member of the Holy Family order, and Cynthia Peterson of Community Violence Solutions.

They will discuss what is being done to identify and rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking so they can once again become productive members of society.

The discussion is free. Call Carlyn Obringer at 925-324-9595 for more information or visit www.sidiablovista.org.

The cost is $17 for adults, $7 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and younger when accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are available at 925-229-2665.

History of libraries

Walnut Creek libraries celebrate 100 years with a second-floor display case created by the Walnut Creek Historical Society. Vintage library photos present a stark contrast to the new state-of-the-art Walnut Creek Library, flush with computers, modern art and a coffee bar at 1644 N. Broadway. Call 925-939-7952 for visiting information.

The main collection of historical artifacts is available to the public for research. Walnut Creek Historical Society archivist Sheila Rogstad invites you to peruse the History Room at Shadelands Museum from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-935-7871.

Autumn at the Adobe

The Salvio Pacheco Adobe patio and gardens in Concord provided the historic setting for wine tasting and nibbling appetizers served by the staff of hostess Sister Mary Grace, benefiting the Concord Historical Society.

Proceeds of the fundraiser, raffle and silent auction will be used for the preservation of Concord’s rich history.

Help Caring Hands

Are you a stay-at-home mom or dad, an active retired person, or work part time? This is the program for you!

Consider giving a couple of hours a week to help Caring Hands volunteer program help our neighbors over the age of 60 remain independent and in their own homes.

You will be matched with someone near who needs a little attention or transportation to the doctor or grocery store.

Sign up for training Nov. 22, and be ready to start volunteering in the new year.

Call Linda Groobin at 925-952-2999. Watch Caring Hands video on their website and fill out an application online at www.johnmuirhealth.com/caringhands. A background clearance and orientation/interview are required before coming to the training.

New board members

The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation welcomes five new members to its board of directors, including Wendy Komori Stager of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church; Aloma Levine of Innovations Day Spa; Giles Miller of the East Bay Community Foundation; Adrianne Roe of Leading Edge Pest Management; and Marian Woodard of Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm & Teaching Gardens.

The new members bring their unique perspectives from the faith-based community, nonprofit community-based organizations and local small businesses to provide greater reach into the community.

The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation is an all-volunteer organization supporting educational, recreational and cultural organizations, and provides scholarships for College Park High School graduates, and stipends to the winners of the Community Plus Award.

WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton challenged Congress on Thursday to combat fake and misleading news on social media, using a post-election appearance to tackle an issue that gripped her presidential campaign and culminated with a shooting incident Sunday in Northwest Washington.